Air New Zealand 'Airbands' To Keep Track Of Kids Travelling Alone

Air New Zealand is giving out peace of mind to parents of children travelling unaccompanied.

The airline will give unaccompanied minors smart wristbands that send regular updates on their whereabouts to their parents.

The "airband" has a microchip that can be scanned at key stages of travel to send text messages to caregivers for kids between five and 11 flying alone, according to the New Zealand Herald. Children up to the age of 16 can also opt in to use the service.

According to the airline, the wristband is scanned at check-in, boarding, after the flight has landed (and the child has been handed over to staff), and when the child is picked up by a designated person.

Air New Zealand general manager customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui told Australian Aviation she believes this is the first time this type of technology has been used by any airline.

“We have been trialling it across our network over recent months and the feedback from parents and guardians has been very positive with many welcoming the additional reassurance of knowing where in the journey their child is,” she said.

The service is already in operation, and is free until February 2016. After that, it will cost $15 per child each flight and $40 for international trips.